Five O’Clock Club sold to Evie’s owners
Sarasota live music venue and bar will reopen Aug. Four
Wade Tatangelo Entertainment editor @wtatangelo
SARASOTA — An iconic live music venue and drinking destination dating back to 1955 will reopen next week.
Steve and Mike Evanoff, the father-and-son team behind the local Evie’s restaurant and entertainment group that includes White Buffalo Saloon and Evie’s at Spanish Point, have purchased The Five O’Clock Club at one thousand nine hundred thirty Hillview St. The Evanoffs also acquired the property that houses the business and its liquor license.
The Southside Village landmark has been closed since July Ten.
The Five O’Clock Club reopens Aug. Four. The name remain the same and so will the non-smoking policy inwards, with smoking still permitted on the freshly renovated patio out back.
The club doesn’t have a kitchen, so aside from upgraded bar snacks, the main attraction will remain fairly priced drinks and live music, with a few more added attractions. 
In latest years, The “Five O,” as it’s widely known, typically hosted music acts every evening except on Sundays and Tuesdays. Almost all the musicians were local and many played the venue the same day each week.
The fresh owners aim to proceed presenting live music at the the club four or five nights a week but with more diversity. 
“We want to bring in more national acts that cost $12-$15 per display,” Mike Evanoff said. “We also want to do an ”80s for the Ladies’ night of Fridays, maybe blues on Wednesdays and more local music acts on Sundays.”
In addition to the live music, the Evanoffs have upgraded the Five O’Clock Club with flat-screen TVs for watching sports, a jukebox to hear tunes when bands aren’t playing, a billiards table and the popular golf arcade game Golden Tee. 
The hours have been expanded, as well, with the bar opening at seven a.m. In fact, blessed hour will run from seven a.m. to seven p.m. with a planned menu of 2-for-1 specials as well as $Two.75 domestic bottles of beer and $Four.75 cocktails featuring select vodka, bourbon and tequila brands. 
“It will be a loosening place with fair pricing and a superb, friendly staff,” Steve Evanoff said.   
George Generoso ran the club from one thousand nine hundred ninety six until earlier this month when numerous local musicians celebrated him with a utter afternoon and evening of spectacles.  
“We’re attempting to keep George abreast of what we’re doing and get his input,” Mike Evanoff said. “He’s a fixture of the place and we always want him to feel at home here.”